Container system and use thereof

ABSTRACT

The container system ( 1 ) comprises a container ( 3 ), a dispensing device ( 2 ) and a closure ( 4   a ), wherein the container ( 3 ) has a longitudinal axis (L), wherein the container ( 3 ) and the dispensing device ( 2 ) are connected to one another and are mutually rotatably movable about the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the container ( 3 ) and the dispensing device ( 2 ) enclose a common interior space the common interior space ( 6 ) being delimited in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) by an end face ( 3   a ) of the container and by an end wall of the dispensing device ( 2 ), the dispensing device ( 2 ) having, in the region of the end wall, a removal opening ( 2   a ) which is arranged laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) which extends in the circumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the closure ( 4   a ) is coupled to the container ( 3 ), and wherein the closure ( 4   a ) is arranged in the dispensing device ( 2 ) in such a manner that upon a mutual rotation of the container ( 3 ) and the dispensing device ( 2 ) about the longitudinal axis (L), the closure ( 4   a ) is rotatably movable about the longitudinal axis (L) with respect to the removal opening ( 2   a ) and, depending on its position, assumes a closed position in which the closure ( 4   a ) closes the removal opening ( 2   a ) and an open position in which the removal opening ( 2   a ) is completely open

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a container system and a use thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Document WO2011/094685A2 discloses a container system for storingdetergent compositions each packaged in a single dose. For example, asingle-dose detergent composition comprises a single dose of powdered orliquid detergent contained in a sealed, flexible, soluble film pouch.Because singledose compositions and the flexible outer membrane areformulated to dissolve or otherwise disintegrate in water, the containersystem includes a removable lid to prevent water from entering thecontainer. Removing a single dose from this known container system istherefore relatively cumbersome because the lid must be removed to openthe container, and then one hand must be used to reach through therelatively narrow opening into the interior space to retrieve a singledose from the interior space.

Detergent compositions in a single dose are increasingly being marketedas so-called “liquid caps” or “gel caps”, in which the detergent isportioned in liquid or gel form in a capsule, the capsule preferablyhaving a flexible outer membrane as the outer shell. Such portionedcapsules are particularly dangerous for small children, since thedetergent contains chemical substances in higher concentrations, whichcan cause poisoning or eye injuries, for example. Such portionedcapsules also often have a handy size, bright colors and soft, shinypackaging, and are therefore easily mistaken for sweets. Theabove-mentioned container system or also the container systems disclosedin documents DE1641254U and U.S. Pat. No. 2,214,437A have thedisadvantage that they cannot be securely closed after use, so that asingle dose could be easily removed from the container by a child, forexample, or even worse that the entire contents of single doses areemptied by tilting the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the task of the invention to design a container system which ismore advantageous, easier to operate and preferably also safer.

This task is solved with a container system having the features of theindependent claim(s).

The task is solved in particular with a container system comprising acontainer, a dispensing device and a closure, the container having alongitudinal axis, the container and the dispensing device beingconnected to one another and being mutually rotatably movable about thelongitudinal axis, the container and the dispensing device enclosing acommon interior space, the interior space being bounded in the directionof the longitudinal axis by an end face of the container and an end wallof the dispensing device, the dispensing device having, in the region ofthe end wall, a removal opening arranged laterally with respect to thelongitudinal axis, which extends in the circumferential direction withrespect to the longitudinal axis, the closure being coupled to thecontainer, and the closure being arranged in the dispensing device insuch a way that, when the container and the dispensing device rotatewith respect to one another about the longitudinal axis, the closure canbe moved rotatably about the longitudinal axis with respect to theremoval opening and, depending on its position, assumes a closedposition, in which the closure closes the removal opening, and an openposition, in which the removal opening is completely open.

The container system is suitable for storing objects, wherein theobjects or the removal opening are mutually dimensioned in such a waythat the objects can be removed from the interior space via the removalopening. Particularly advantageously, the objects are dimensioned insuch a way that they are arranged or stacked in succession in thedirection of the longitudinal axis in the interior space of thecontainer system, the interior space of the container system having adimensioning perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which is preferablyequal to or slightly larger than the dimensioning of the object, whichresults in the advantage that the objects are reliably arranged insuccession in the interior space in the direction of the longitudinalaxis, and a movement of the container system does not or only slightlyupsets this arrangement. The container system can be stored per se inany position, whereby the container system for removing an article isadvantageously erected or is already in such a position that thedispensing device is at the bottom and, due to the acting gravity, atleast one article is located in the dispensing device or is pushed intothe dispensing device due to the acting gravity, so that the article canbe removed after opening the removal opening of the dispensing device.

Advantageously, the dispensing device comprises an end face in thedirection of the longitudinal axis, which is designed as a standingside. Advantageously, the dispensing device stands continuously on thisstanding side at least when it is not in use, so that the container,insofar as it stands on a preferably horizontally extending surface,extends preferably vertically upwards starting from the dispensingdevice, whereby the force of gravity acts on the objects located in thecontainer, so that it is ensured that there is always an object to beremoved in the dispensing device as long as at least one object isavailable in the interior space. The container could be transparent indesign and made of a plastic material, for example. The container couldalso be designed to be non-transparent.

The container system is suitable for receiving a variety of possibleitems, for example, unpackaged food products such as cookies and bakedgoods, or snack products such as potato chips or stacked chips made frompotatoes or potato flakes, or confectionery products, for example,confectionery products similar to granola bars, the shape of which isadapted to the container system and which are preferably disc-shaped,the outer diameter of which is preferably slightly smaller than theinner diameter of the container of the container system provided forreceiving the food products. The container system is also suitable forholding packaged articles, for example cookies or bakery products,confectionery products, detergent or dishwashing tabs, liquid or gelcaps, individual ketchup packages or individual mustard packages,wherein preferably all the articles stored in the container system areidentically configured, preferably disc-shaped.

Particularly preferably, the container system according to the inventionis suitable for storing individual doses of a detergent composition,wherein these are particularly preferably designed as so-called “liquidcaps” or “gel caps”.

The container of the container system is preferably shaped like a hollowcylinder, and thus preferably has a circular internal cross-sectionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis. However, the container can bedesigned in a variety of other possible shapes and have, for example, atriangular, square, polygonal or oval internal cross-sectionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the internalcross-section is adapted to the shape of the article to be stored in thecontainer system, preferably such that a single article perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis is substantially as large or slightly smaller thanthe internal cross-sectional area, to ensure that the articles withinthe container system are arranged in a well-ordered and sequential orsuperimposed manner in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Theheight of the removal opening in the direction of the longitudinal axisis preferably adapted to the article to be removed in such a way thatthere is preferably in each case a single article in the region of theremoval opening which can be removed from the container system via theremoval opening when the closure is open.

For opening the removal opening, the container system is preferablytaken in both hands, in that with one hand the container is held, and inthat with the other hand the dispensing device is held, wherebycontainer and dispensing device are mutually rotated about thelongitudinal axis for opening and closing the removal opening, so thatthe closure is removed from the removal opening by this rotation, sothat the object to be removed, which is still in the dispensing device,becomes accessible from the outside through the removal opening and canbe removed, the closure being rotated again by a subsequent rotationinto a position in which it closes the removal opening.

Preferably, the closure and the removal opening or the dispensing deviceare designed to be mutually adapted in such a way that entry of waterinto the interior space of the container system is impeded or prevented.For example, grooves or seals can be provided in the dispensing devicewhich, in combination with the closure, create a sealing effect so thatthe removal opening is at least dust-tight and preferably watertight orsplash-tight when closed.

Particularly advantageously, the container system comprises a blockingdevice which prevents mutual rotation of the container and thedispensing device about their common longitudinal axis, and thusprevents opening of the removal opening as long as the blocking deviceis locked, so that mutual rotation is possible only after unlocking ofthe blocking device.

Advantageously, the dispensing device comprises the blocking device,wherein the blocking device comprises a locking part movable radially tothe longitudinal axis, wherein the closure rotatably movable about thelongitudinal axis moves along a path of movement with respect to thedispensing device, wherein the locking part engages in the path ofmovement and prevents mutual rotation of closure and dispensing devicewhen the closure assumes the closed position with respect to the removalopening. Particularly advantageously, the dispensing device and theblocking device are formed in one piece, and the dispensing devicecomprising the blocking device thus consists of a single part. Thisembodiment has the advantage that the dispensing device comprising theblocking device can be manufactured particularly inexpensively.Preferably, such a dispensing device consists of an elastic plastic.

Advantageously, the blocking device is designed as a so-called push-turnclosure, in which a pressure must be exerted at at least one pointbefore the turn closure can be turned. Preferably, the push-turn closureis arranged in the dispensing device so that when the dispensing deviceis held with the same hand, the blocking device can also be unlocked inorder to subsequently allow the container and the dispensing device torotate relative to each other.

Preferably, the blocking device designed as a push-turn closurecomprises an actuating part, the actuating part cooperating with thelocking part in such a way that pressing in the actuating part in thedirection towards the longitudinal axis results in a lifting of thelocking part with respect to the longitudinal axis, so that the lockingpart no longer engages in the path of movement of the closure, and thusa mutual rotation of closure and dispensing device is possible.Preferably, the actuating part is arranged on the outside of thedispensing device with respect to the longitudinal axis. Particularlyadvantageously, the dispensing device has a collar wall extending in thecircumferential direction, the actuating part being designed as a partof the collar wall.

Preferably, the blocking device is designed in such a way that it cannotbe unlocked by a child's hand or can be unlocked only with difficulty.This can be achieved, for example, by the dispensing device having apush-turn lock, the dispensing device having a relatively large externaldiameter with respect to the longitudinal axis, so that the actuatingpart or part of the dispensing device forming part of the actuating partof the push-turn lock is extremely difficult to operate for small hands,in particular children's hands, due to the relatively large diameter ofthe dispensing device, in particular children's hands, due to therelatively large distance between outer wall sections arranged inopposite directions with respect to the longitudinal axis, against whicha hand preferably simultaneously rests when pressing the actuating part.Moreover, it may prove advantageous to design the blocking device insuch a way that a relatively large force is required to actuate theactuating part or to displace the actuating part in the directiontowards the longitudinal axis, so that it is extremely difficult for aperson with weaker strength, such as small children or elderly persons,to open such a blocking device.

The container system according to the invention can also be designedwithout a blocking device. This embodiment has the advantage that theobjects inside the container system are stored preferably dust-free,and/or waterproof, in particular splashproof, whereby these objects canbe removed from the container system in a very simple manner.

The container system according to the invention can thus be designed ina plurality of shapes, whereby in particular the container can bedesigned in a plurality of possible shapes depending on the geometricdesign of the objects to be accommodated, whereby the container isparticularly preferably designed in the shape of a hollow cylinder.Preferably, the container is designed to be stackable in that, startingfor example from an end face, it has, for example, an outer wall whichwidens in the direction of the longitudinal axis or a widening innercross-section, for example a conically or curvilinearly widening outerwall, so that the empty containers can be stacked one inside the otherand require little space in the empty, stacked state.

The container system according to the invention is preferably designedas a disposable package and is only intended for use until the originalcontents have been completely emptied, so that refilling is notprovided. However, it may also prove advantageous to reuse and refill atleast the dispensing device of the container system and possibly alsothe container, so that at least parts and possibly the entire containersystem are reusable. The reusability of the dispensing device results inthe advantage that the dispensing device can be designed in a morecomplex and expensive manner. In an advantageous embodiment, thedispensing device comprises a mechanically operable blocking devicewhich must first be opened before an article can be removed from thecontainer system. In a further advantageous embodiment, the dispensingdevice comprises an electrically or electronically actuable blockingdevice and/or an electrically or electronically actuable closuredesigned as a slide for automatically opening and/or closing the removalopening. Preferably, the dispensing device can be controlled wirelessly,for example via a remote control or a smartphone, in that the dispensingdevice comprises, for example, a radio interface, for example Bluetooth,a battery, electronics, and an electrically actuable blocking devicethat locks or unlocks the dispensing device and/or opens and/or closesthe removal opening. Such a dispensing device can be programmed or usedin a wide variety of ways, for example in such a way that the dispensingdevice is unlocked and/or opened on command, for example after a remotecontrol or smartphone is actuated, or that the dispensing device isunlocked and/or opened on a person-selective basis, for example when aperson approaches the dispensing device, wherein a smartphone, forexample, interacts with the dispensing device, detects the approach of aperson, in particular a person authorized to open, and then opens atleast the latch of the dispensing device and possibly also the removalopening. The dispensing device could be unlocked and/or opened in atime-controlled manner, for example by unlocking and/or opening thedispensing device only in predetermined time windows, or could be openedin a quantity-controlled manner by dispensing the dispensing device onlya predetermined number per day, or by unlocking and/or opening thedispensing device only on certain days. The dispensing device could alsobe opened in a location-controlled manner, for example by unlockingand/or opening the dispensing device only at predetermined locations,for example by interacting with the smartphone detecting a locationsignal. Such a container system can be used for a variety ofpossibilities, for example for controlled quantity dispensing of sweets,or for person-specific dispensing of medications. The container systemaccording to the invention is thus also particularly suitable forapplications in the healthcare sector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description discloses, by way of example, severalembodiments of the present invention. The drawings used to explain theembodiments show:

FIG. 1 a three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of a containersystem;

FIG. 2 a detailed view of the lower section of the container systemaccording to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 a perspective view of a dispensing device from above;

FIG. 4 a perspective view of the dispensing device according to FIG. 3from below;

FIG. 5 a section through the dispensing device along section line A-Aaccording to FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 a side view of the dispensing device;

FIG. 7 a 3-dimensional view of a container;

FIG. 8 a detailed view of a longitudinal section through the containeraccording to FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 a detailed view of the lower section of the container systemaccording to FIG. 1 in the closed state;

FIG. 10 a detailed view of the lower section of the container systemaccording to FIG. 1 in the fully open state;

FIG. 11 a sectional view of the dispensing device along the line ofintersection B-B as shown in FIG. 5 , with the push-turn closure inparticular being visible in the resting state;

FIG. 12 a section of the dispensing device along the line ofintersection B-B, wherein in particular the push-turn fastener isvisible in the activated state;

FIG. 13 a 3-dimensional view of a second embodiment of a containersystem;

FIG. 14 a detailed view of the lower section of the container systemaccording to FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 15 a perspective view of the coupling device used in the embodimentexample according to FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 16 a longitudinal section through the coupling device according toFIG. 15 ;

FIG. 17 a side view of the container used in the embodiment exampleaccording to FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 18 a detailed view of a longitudinal section through the containeraccording to FIG. 17 ;

FIG. 19 a 3-dimensional view of a further embodiment of a container;

FIG. 20 a top view of a single dose of a detergent composition;

FIG. 21 a section through a further embodiment of a dispensing devicealong the line of intersection C-C according to FIG. 22 ;

FIG. 22 a section through the dispensing device according to FIG. 21along section line D-D;

FIG. 23 a section through the dispensing device according to FIG. 22along section line E-E;

FIG. 24 a front view of the removal opening of the dispensing deviceaccording to FIG. 22 .

Generally, the same parts are provided with the same reference signs inthe drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 12 show a first embodiment of a container system 1 andpartial aspects thereof, wherein FIG. 1 shows the container system 1 ina three-dimensional view, FIGS. 2, 9 and 10 show a detailed view of thelower section of the container system 1, and FIGS. 3 to 6 show differentviews of the dispensing device 2. FIG. 7 shows a 3-dimensional view ofthe container 3, and FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal section of the lowerend portion of the container 3. FIGS. 11 and 12 each show a sectionthrough the dispensing device 2 along the line of intersection B-B,wherein in particular the push-turn closure 5 is apparent. The containersystem 1 comprises a container 3, a dispensing device 2, and a closure 4a, wherein the container system 1, and in particular the container 3,has a longitudinal axis L, and wherein the container 3 and thedispensing device 2 are connected to one another and are mutuallyrotatably movable about the longitudinal axis L. The container 3 and thedispensing device 2 enclose a common interior space 6, wherein thecommon interior space 6 is bounded in the direction of the longitudinalaxis L by an end face 3 a of the container 3 and an end wall 2 c of thedispensing device 2. In the region of the end wall 2 c, the dispensingdevice 2 has a removal opening 2 a which is arranged laterally withrespect to the longitudinal axis L, extends in the circumferentialdirection with respect to the longitudinal axis L, and has a removalopening width 2 f in the circumferential direction, and a removalopening height 2 g in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. In theillustrated, first embodiment example, the closure 4 a is coupled to thecontainer 3 such that the closure 4 a forms a part of the container 3,wherein the container 3 and the closure 4 a are formed in one piece oras a single piece. However, the closure 4 a could also be attached tothe container, for example by adhesive. The closure 4 a protrudes in thelongitudinal direction L over a connecting portion 3 c of the container3, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 . The container 3 has a connecting section3 c in the region of the end face facing the dispensing device 2, forexample designed as a recess running around the outer surface 3 b of thecontainer 3 in the circumferential direction with respect to thelongitudinal axis L. The dispensing device 2 comprises three connectingsections 2 b spaced apart in the circumferential direction with respectto the longitudinal axis L and projecting in the direction of thelongitudinal axis L beyond a circumferential collar wall 2 e. Theconnecting portion 3 c of the container 3 is insertable into theconnecting portions 2 b of the dispensing device 2 so that the container3 is connected to the dispensing device 2, and the container 3 isrotatable with respect to the dispensing device 2 about the longitudinalaxis L. The closure 4 a is arranged in the dispensing device 2 in such away that, when the container 3 and the dispensing device 2 are rotatedrelative to one another about the longitudinal axis L, the closure 4 ais rotatably movable about the longitudinal axis L with respect to theremoval opening 2 a and, depending on its position, assumes a closedposition in which the closure 4 a closes the removal opening 2 a fromthe inside, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 , and assumes an open position inwhich the removal opening 2 a is completely open, as shown in FIG. 10 .

The container system 1 according to the invention can be opened in asimple manner starting from the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 byrotating the dispensing device 2 with respect to the container 3 in thedirection of the direction of rotation indicator 2 i, in the embodimentexample shown to the left, which results in the shutter 4 a, hereinafteralso referred to as the slider, retaining its position, but thedispensing device 2 being rotated in the circumferential direction withrespect to the longitudinal axis L, so that the slider 4 a is rotatedwithin the dispensing device 2 and the removal opening 2 a is therebyreleased. Preferably, the container 3 is held with one hand, and thedispensing device 2 is held with the other hand, so that the container 3and the dispensing device 2 are rotatable about the longitudinal axis Lwith the aid of the two hands, and thereby the slider 4 a can bedisplaced in the dispensing device 2 in such a way that the removalopening 2 a is either fully opened or fully closed by the slider 4 a.

In the embodiment shown, the dispensing device 2 has a standing side 2 din the direction of the longitudinal axis L at the end opposite the endface 3 a, on which the container system 1 can stand. Advantageously, thecontainer system 1 shown in FIG. 1 stands on a horizontally running,flat surface, so that the longitudinal axis L runs in verticaldirection. This embodiment has the advantage that the objects locatedinside the container 3 are pulled downwards due to the acting force ofgravity, so that there is at least one object in each case in theinterior space 6 of the dispensing device 2, which could be removed fromthe interior space 6 via an open removal opening 2 a.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the dispensing device 2, asshown in detail in FIGS. 11 and 12 , comprises a blocking device 5 inthe form of a push-turn closure with an actuating part 5 a and a lockingpart 5 c engaging in the groove 2 n or in the path of movement S of theclosure 4 a, wherein the blocking device 5 in a basic position, as shownin FIG. 11 , prevents or blocks a mutual rotation of container 3 anddispensing device 2 or a mutual rotation of dispensing device 2 andclosure 4 a. wherein after actuation of the actuating part 5 a, forexample by pressing the actuating part 5 a with the aid of a finger inthe direction towards the longitudinal axis L, the locking is releasedby moving the locking part 5 c radially outwards with respect to thelongitudinal axis L, and the container 3 or the closure 4 a is rotatablewith respect to the dispensing device 2 in the circumferential directiontowards the longitudinal axis L. In FIGS. 11 and 12 , the groove 2 n andthe movement path S of the closure 4 a projected in the direction of thelongitudinal axis L onto the lower side wall 2 c extend identically,which is why the movement path S is not shown separately in thesefigures.

In another possible embodiment, the blocking device 5 could comprise aplurality of actuating parts 5 a, for example two or three, arrangedmutually spaced apart, for example mutually spaced apart in thecircumferential direction of the dispensing device 2. The blockingdevice 5 or the push-turn closure may be configured such that it issufficient to actuate one of the plurality of actuating parts 5 a tounblock the push-turn closure. However, the push-turn closure may alsobe configured such that all of the actuating parts 5 a must be actuatedsimultaneously to unlock the push-turn closure. The dispensing device 2comprising a blocking device 5 or the push-turn closure thus has theadvantage that the dispensing device 2 cannot be opened unintentionally.Particularly advantageously, the push-turn closure 5 is designed as achild safety device so that children, in particular small children,cannot gain access to the objects 7 located in the container system 1.The push-turn closure 5 can be designed as a child safety device in avariety of ways, for example by requiring a greater force to press theactuating part 5 a, or by the dispensing device 2 having an outerdiameter of, for example, more than 10 cm, so that small children'shands cannot simultaneously grasp the dispensing device 2 and press theactuating part 5 a.

The container system 1 shown in FIG. 1 can stand on a horizontallyrunning, flat surface via the dispensing device 2 as shown. However, thecontainer system 1 could also stand on a horizontally running, flatsurface via the end face 3a of the container 3. The container system 1could also be arranged lying on a surface in that the longitudinal axisL would run substantially parallel to the flat surface, for example.Thus, it is not mandatory that the dispensing device 2 requires astanding side 2 d. For example, the dispensing device 2 could also beattached to a plane via the standing side 2 d, for example by adhesivebonding, this plane preferably extending horizontally. This embodimenthas the advantage that one hand is sufficient to rotate the container 3about the longitudinal axis L, if the dispensing device 2 does notcomprise a locking device, since the dispensing device 2 is fixed andthus not rotatably connected to the plane. For example, the dispensingdevice 2 could also be attached to a vertically extending plane via thestanding side 2 d, for example by adhesive bonding, so that thelongitudinal axis L of the container system 1 is substantiallyhorizontal, with the removal opening preferably oriented verticallydownwards. This embodiment again has the advantage that one hand issufficient to rotate the container 3 about the longitudinal axis L, ifthe dispensing device 2 does not comprise a locking device 5. In anadvantageous embodiment, the container system 1 could comprise a springarranged in the interior space 6 of the container 3, and preferablyarranged between the end face 3 a and the next following object 7located in the interior space 6, in order to cause a biasing forceacting towards the dispensing device 2 on the objects 7 located in theinterior space 6, thereby moving the objects 7 towards the dispensingdevice 2, in particular when the container system 1 is horizontal.

The container 3 is hollow-cylindrical in shape and has a circularinternal cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Thecontainer 3 could be designed in a variety of possible shapes, subjectto the constraint that the container 3 is rotatably connected to thedispensing device 2 about the longitudinal axis L thereof. The rotatableconnection of the container 3 and the dispensing device 2 can bedesigned in a plurality of possibilities, so that the rotatableconnection shown in the figures is to be considered only as an exemplaryconnection. For example, the container 3 could also have a polygonalinternal and/or external cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis L, for example a 3, 4, 5 or 6-cornered cross-section, or forexample an oval cross-section.

FIGS. 3 to 6 show an exemplary embodiment of the dispensing device 2.The dispensing device 2 comprises a circumferential collar wall 2 e,which forms a circularly extending inner side 2 p, wherein this innerside 2 p and the lower end wall 2 c delimit the common interior space 6in the dispensing device 2. The dispensing device 2 preferably comprisesa web 21 which extends above the removal opening 2 a and delimits thelatter in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, this web 21 alsoforming a guide function for the connecting portion 3 c of the container3. Advantageously, the dispensing device 2 has, on the end wall 2 c, arecessed groove 2 n extending in the circumferential direction withrespect to the longitudinal axis L, the closure 4 a being arrangedextending in the direction of the longitudinal axis L along a portioninside the groove 2 n. This groove 2 n extends within the lower end wall2 c in the circumferential direction to the longitudinal axis Lpreferably along the entire width 2 f of the removal opening 2 a, sothat the slider 4 a, engages in this groove 2 n when the removal opening2 a is closed. This groove 2 n, as well as the slider 4 a extendingtherein, results in a plurality of advantages. The end face of theslider 4 a, which is arranged in the groove 2 n, is guided by the groove2 n in a defined position in the circumferential direction with respectto the longitudinal axis L. The slider 4 a is more resistant withrespect to forces acting from the outside, since the slider 4 a isbetter held and supported in the groove 2 n. The interlocking of slider4 a and groove 2 n results in the further advantage that the removalopening 2 a is sealed more tightly in the closed state, preferablydust-tight, and particularly preferably also water-tight, at leastsplashtight. Such a water-tight or splash-proof closable removal opening2 a is particularly important when a detergent composition is stored inindividual doses in the container system 1, the individual dosescomprising a powdered, granular or liquid detergent encased in a sealed,flexible, water-soluble membrane. In a further possible embodiment,sealing elements, preferably elastic sealing elements, may moreover bearranged in the region of the removal opening 2 a and/or the groove 2 nin such a way that, in combination with the slider 4 a, they form atight, preferably water-tight closure, so that the removal opening 2 acan be tightly closed. In another possible embodiment, the groove 2 ncould also be dispensed with, so that no groove 2 n is let into thelower end wall 2 c.

In an advantageous embodiment, the circumferential collar wall 2 e, ascan be seen in particular from FIG. 5 , is designed in two parts, withan inner, preferably cylindrical, running inner side 2 p and an outercollar wall 2 r. This outer collar wall 2 r can be designed in a varietyof shapes and, for example, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L,also have a substantially larger outer diameter than the container 3,for example in order to increase the stability of the container system1.

Advantageously, but not necessarily, the dispensing device 2 alsocomprises a blocking device 5 which prevents mutual rotation of thecontainer 3 and the dispensing device 2, in particular when the closure4 a assumes the closed position with respect to the removal opening 2 a.Advantageously, the blocking device 5 is designed as a push-turnclosure. FIGS. 11 and 12 show in a section along the line of section B-Baccording to FIG. 5 such a push-turn closure integrated in thedispensing device 2 in two different positions. The locking device 5comprises an actuating part 5 a which is a part of the outer collar wall2 r, comprises an elastic connecting part 5 b, and comprises a lockingpart 5 c which, in the example shown, extends substantially in thedirection towards the longitudinal axis L. In the basic position shownin FIG. 11 , a resting state in which no force acting radially to thelongitudinal axis L is exerted on the dispensing device 2 or on theactuating part 5 a, the locking part 5 c engages in the groove 2 n, theslider 4 a in FIG. 11 being in a closed position, and the slider 4 a,after briefly rotating along its path of movement S in the direction ofthe opening movement So, abuts against the locking part 5 c, and can nolonger be rotated further about the longitudinal axis L. The slide 4 ais thus blocked in its closed position, and the removal opening 2 a iscovered by the slide 4 a and cannot be opened. The push-turn closure 5is now designed, for example, in such a way that pressing in theactuating part 5 a with a force F1 in the direction towards thelongitudinal axis L results in the locking part 5 c being lifted in thedirection F2 with respect to the longitudinal axis L and thereby beingremoved from engagement with the groove 2 n, so that the slider 4 a canbe rotated about the longitudinal axis L and the removal opening 2 a canbe opened and preferably completely opened. The push-turn closurecomprises at least one actuating part 5 a, which is preferably arrangedwith respect to the longitudinal axis L on the outer surface of thedispensing device 2. After opening, the removal opening 2 a can beclosed again by moving the slide 4 a by rotating it in the direction ofthe closing movement Ss until the removal opening 2 a is completelyclosed and the locking part 5 c again assumes the position shown in FIG.11 .

The dispensing device 2 preferably has an outer diameter of at least 6cm perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, preferably 7-15 cm, andparticularly preferably 8-10 cm, in order to make it difficult orimpossible for small children in particular to grasp the dispensingdevice 2 with one hand and thereby exert a sufficiently large force topress the actuating part 5 a with the required force F1. In thepreferred embodiment, the container system 1 according to the inventionhas the advantage that two steps are required to be combined in order toopen the dispensing opening 2 a. On the one hand, the actuating part 5 amust be actuated in order to unlock the blocking device 5 or thepush-turn closure, and on the other hand, the container 3 and thedispensing device 2 must be simultaneously rotated with respect to eachother in the circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axisL. This procedure makes it extraordinarily difficult for children toaccess the contents of the container system. Therefore, the containersystem 1 according to the invention exhibits a very high level of childsafety. The container system 1 according to the invention is of coursealso suitable for making it more difficult for other groups of people toaccess the contents of the container, for example people suffering fromdementia.

In an advantageous embodiment, the lower end wall 2 c comprises an endwall part 2 k which is inclined towards the removal opening 2 a, inparticular which slopes towards the removal opening 2 a, which resultsin the advantage that an object to be removed from the interior space 6is advantageously deflected or displaced towards the removal opening 2a, so that the object can be removed from the removal opening 2 aparticularly easily. In a possible embodiment example, the removalopening can extend in the circumferential direction to the longitudinalaxis L by an angle of up to 180°, wherein the removal opening preferablyhas an angle in the range of 70° to 100° in the circumferentialdirection to the longitudinal axis L, and particularly preferably has anangle in the range of 85° to 95°.

FIGS. 13 to 18 show a second embodiment of a container system 1 which,in contrast to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 , has, amongother things, an additional coupling part 4 which is arranged betweenthe container 3 and the dispensing device 2 and connects these twotogether. As can be seen from FIGS. 15 and 16 , the coupling part 4comprises the slider 4 a. FIG. 17 shows a container 3 in which aplurality of individual cans 7 are arranged in succession in thelongitudinal direction L. The container 3 has a connecting section 3 c,shown enlarged in FIG. 18 , which can be connected to the secondconnecting section 4 c of the coupling part 4. In addition, the firstconnecting section 4 b of the coupling part 4 can be connected to theconnecting section 2 b of the dispensing device 2, so that the containersystem 1 designed in this way has an interior space 6 which extends fromthe end face 3 a of the container 3 to the lower end wall 2 c, notshown, of the dispensing device 2.

FIG. 19 shows a further embodiment of a container 3 comprising a slider4 a, wherein the slider 4 a has an opening 4 d extending in thecircumferential direction to the longitudinal axis L, which is at leastas wide as the removal opening width 2 f.

FIG. 20 shows an example of a detergent composition in an individualdose 7, which are also referred to as “liquid caps” or “gel caps”, andin which the detergent 7 a, 7 b is portioned in liquid or gel form in acapsule, the capsule preferably having a flexible outer membrane 7 c asthe outer shell. Preferably, the inner diameter of the container 3 isdesigned to match the outer diameter of the individual doses 7 in such away that the individual doses 7, as shown in FIG. 17 , are arranged withlittle or no play in the direction radial to the longitudinal axis L inthe interior space 6 of the container 3, a plurality of individual doses7 being arranged in succession in the direction of the longitudinal axisL. This arrangement and configuration has the advantage that theindividual doses 7 located in the interior space 6 can hardly or not atall tilt with respect to each other, whereby the individual doses 7 aredisplaced towards the dispensing device 2 due to the actinggravitational force and/or a possibly existing spring force, so that atleast one individual dose 7 in each case comes to lie in the interiorspace 6 of the dispensing device 2 in the region of the removal opening2 a, so that the individual dose 7, after the opening of the slide 4 a,can be removed in a simple manner from the removal opening 2 a.

FIGS. 21 to 24 show a further embodiment of a dispensing device 2 which,in contrast to the dispensing device 2 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 11 and 12, does not have a groove 2 n running around along the path of movementS, in which the shutter 4 a designed as a slider could engage. Theshutter 4 a, which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis L, can movealong the path of movement S, as shown in FIG. 22 . FIGS. 21 and 22 showthe path of movement S of the rotatable shutter 4 a projected in thedirection of the longitudinal axis L onto the lower end wall 2 c. As canbe seen from FIG. 24 , the closure 4 a preferably has a gap 4 d withrespect to the bottom 2 c of the dispensing device 2, wherein inadvantageous embodiments the gap 4 d is so small that the closure 4 aand the bottom 2 c preferably do not touch each other or do not toucheach other at all when they are rotated relative to each other, so thata gap 4 d with a width in the range of, for example, 1 to 2 mm isformed. However, in another possible embodiment, the shutter 4 a couldalso contact the bottom 2 c so that the shutter 4 a is in contact withand slides along the bottom 2 c during a rotation with respect to thedispensing device 2 along the path of motion S. In addition, an elasticsealing element, for example a sealing lip, could be arranged at the endportion of the closure 4 a facing the bottom 2 c to thereby form aclosure 4 a preferably sealing the interior space of the containersystem. As can be seen from FIGS. 22 and 23 , the locking part 5 c ismovable radially with respect to the longitudinal axis L in thedirection of movement V. In FIGS. 22 and 23 , the locking part 5 cassumes a rest position and a closed position, respectively, in whichthe locking part 5 c, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 , engages in themovement path S, so that, as can be seen from FIG. 22 , mutual rotationof closure 4 a and dispensing device 2 is prevented and is possible onlyslightly, up to the mutual stop of closure 4 a and locking part 5 c, sothat rotation or an opening movement of closure 4 a is not possible, andtherefore the removal opening 2 a cannot be opened. The blocking device5 shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 is preferably identically designed as shownin FIGS. 11 and 12 . That is, the blocking device 5 is designed as apush-turn closure, comprising an actuating part 5 a, wherein theactuating part 5 a cooperates, preferably via a connecting part 5 b,with the locking part 5 c in such a way that a pressing-in and/ordisplacement of the actuating part 5 a in the direction towards thelongitudinal axis L results in a lifting of the locking part 5 c withrespect to the longitudinal axis L, so that the locking part 5 c nolonger engages in the path of movement S, and as a result a mutualrotation of the closure 4 a and the dispensing device 2 is possible. Inthe embodiment example according to FIGS. 11, 12 and 22 , the outside ofthe dispensing device 2 and the collar wall 2 e, respectively, aredeformed in such a way that a depression of the actuating part 5 a inthe direction towards the longitudinal axis L results in a lifting ofthe locking part 5 c with respect to the longitudinal axis L, theconnecting part 5 b performing a corresponding movement, preferably apivoting movement.

FIG. 22 illustrates a further example of a closure comprising anactuating part 5′a, a connecting part 5′b and the locking part 5 c,wherein the actuating part 5′a is arranged preferably opposite thelocking part 5 c with respect to the longitudinal axis L on the outsideof the dispensing device 2 or on the collar wall 2 e, preferably on theouter collar wall 2 r, the actuating part 5′a being connected to thelocking part 5 c via a connecting part 5′b preferably extending belowthe base 2 c, in such a way that pressing in the actuating part 5′a inthe direction towards the longitudinal axis L results in the lockingpart 5 c being lifted off with respect to the longitudinal axis L. Thedispensing device 2 preferably comprises a single actuating part 5 a,5′a, but in a further embodiment could also comprise at least twoactuating parts 5 a, 5′a, both of which act on the locking part 5 c.

The outside of the dispensing device 2 or the collar wall 2 e ispreferably spring-elastic at least in the region of the actuating part 5a, 5′a in such a way that, as shown for example in FIGS. 11 and 12 , theactuating part 5 a moves towards the longitudinal axis L by elasticdeformation when a compressive force F1 is applied, and in that, in theabsence of the compressive force F1, the actuating part 5 aautomatically resumes the initial position shown in FIG. 11 on accountof the spring-elastic properties present at least in the region of theactuating part 5 a, 5′a. The compressive force F1 required toelastically deform the actuating part 5 a toward the longitudinal axis Lcan be determined, for example, by at least one of the followingvariables: the arrangement of the webs 2 q, the mutual spacing of thewebs 2 q in the circumferential direction, and the elasticity of theoutside of the dispensing device 2 or of the collar wall 2 e, 2 r.

The container system 1 shown in FIGS. 21 to 24 comprises a coupling part4 between the container 3 and the dispensing device. However, thecoupling part 4 could also be dispensed with by connecting the container3 directly to the dispensing device 2.

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A container system comprising a container, adispensing device and a closure, the container having a longitudinalaxis, the container and the dispensing device being connected to oneanother and being mutually rotatably movable about the longitudinalaxis, the container and the dispensing device enclosing a commoninterior space, the common interior space being bounded in the directionof the longitudinal axis by an end face of the container and by an endwall of the dispensing device, the dispensing device having, in theregion of the end wall , a removal opening which is arranged laterallywith respect to the longitudinal axis which extends in thecircumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal axis, whereinthe closure is coupled to the container, and wherein the closure isarranged in the dispensing device in such a manner that upon mutualrotation of the container and the dispensing device about thelongitudinal axis, the closure is rotatably movable about thelongitudinal axis with respect to the removal opening and, depending onits position, assumes a closed position in which the closure closes theremoval opening and an open position in which the removal opening isfully open.
 19. The container system according to claim 18, wherein thedispensing device comprises a blocking device with a locking partmovable radially with respect to the longitudinal axis, and wherein theclosure, which is rotatably movable about the longitudinal axis, has apath of movement, and wherein the locking part engages in the movementpath and prevents mutual rotation of the closure and dispensing devicewhen the closure assumes the closed position with respect to the removalopening.
 20. The container system according to claim 19, wherein theblocking device is designed as a push-turn closure comprising anactuating part, the actuating part interacting with the locking part insuch a manner that a depression of an actuating part in the directiontowards the longitudinal axis results in a lifting of the locking partwith respect to the longitudinal axis, so that the locking part nolonger engages in the path of movement, and thereby a mutual rotation ofclosure and dispensing device is possible.
 21. The container systemaccording to claim 20, wherein the actuating part is arranged on theoutside of the dispensing device with respect to the longitudinal axis.22. The container system according to claim 21, wherein the dispensingdevice has a collar wall extending in the circumferential direction, andin that the actuating part is designed as a part of the collar wall. 23.The container system according to claim 21, wherein the dispensingdevice has an outer diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofat least 6 cm.
 24. The container system according to claim 18, whereinthe dispensing device has, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, atthe end opposite the end face, a standing face on which the containersystem can stand.
 25. The container system according to claim 18,wherein a groove running in the circumferential direction to thelongitudinal axis is let into the end wall, and that the closure isarranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis along a partialsection within the groove.
 26. The container system according to claim25, wherein the locking part of the blocking device engages in thegroove.
 27. The container system according to claim 18, wherein theclosure is spaced apart in the direction of the longitudinal axis withrespect to the end wall, so that a gap is formed between the closure andthe end wall.
 28. The container system according to claim 17, whereinthe container and the dispensing device form a cylindrical, commoninterior space, the common interior space having in particular adiameter in the range between 4 to 12 cm.
 29. The container systemaccording claim 17, wherein the removal opening extends in thecircumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal axis throughan angle of up to 180°.
 30. The container system according claim 29,wherein the removal opening has an angle in the range of 70° to 100° inthe circumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal axis L.31. The container system according to claim 17, wherein the closure isfixedly connected to the container.
 32. The container system accordingto claim 24, wherein the dispensing device has a first connectingportion at the end opposite to the standing side , wherein the containerhas a second connecting portion at the end opposite to the end face,wherein the closure projects in the direction of the longitudinal axisbeyond the second connecting portion , and wherein the dispensing deviceand the container are detachably and mutually rotatably connected aboutthe longitudinal axis via the first and second connecting portions. 33.The container system according to claim 24, wherein the dispensingdevice has a first connecting portion at the end opposite to thestanding side, wherein the container has a second connecting portion atthe end opposite to the end face, wherein a coupling part is arranged inthe direction of the longitudinal axis between the container and thedispensing device and connects them to one another via the first andsecond connecting sections, wherein the coupling part comprises theclosure, and wherein the dispensing device and the container aremutually rotatably connected about the longitudinal axis via thecoupling part.
 34. Use of a container system according to claim 18 fordispensing individual doses of a detergent composition, wherein aplurality of individual doses are stacked in succession in the directionof the longitudinal axis in the common interior space by rotating thecontainer relative to the dispensing device about the longitudinal axis,so that the closure is rotated and thereby the removal opening iscompletely opened, that thereafter a single dose is withdrawn from theremoval opening, and that thereafter the container is again rotatedrelative to the dispensing device about the longitudinal axis and theremoval opening is thereby closed.
 35. Use according to claim 34,wherein before the container and dispensing device are rotated relativeto each other, the locking part movable radially relative to thelongitudinal axis is raised relative to the path of movement of theclosure, so that the container and the dispensing device are thereafterrotatable relative to each other in the circumferential directionrelative to the longitudinal axis.